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Date of Incident

06/04/2019

Country

England

Route

Steves Wall

Incident

While climbing the popular highball 'Steves Wall' I made the last move and lost my balance coming back down to the pads below with a thud. My left foot missed the mat completely and right foot hit the edge, this resulted in the significant fracture dislocation of my Left Ankle and the fracturing of my right Calcaneus, leaving me in severe pain unable to mobilise. Emergency Services were contacted when signal was found by a climbing partner near the car park area. I was fortunate to receive care from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance after around 25 minutes followed by a land ambulance crew and Swaledale MRT to which i am highly grateful for.

Lessons

This kind of incident happens before you can even think and develops fast. I was fortunate that myself and others present were paramedic students however it emphasises the importance for having a basic understanding of first aid when your in such a rural and isolated setting. Furthermore be aware that the risk of injury is still present however much you think it is minimised. If doing a similar route prior I would consider taking a lower test fall to consider if it was safe to move higher also consider renewing old bouldering matts, it makes the difference when add in a few extra metres. The circulation of my left was initially compromised until the arrival of HEMS therefore i am extremely lucky. Unfortunately I have a few weeks of recovery a head of me after having surgery earlier this week, lessons have been learnt.

Activity

Bouldering

When

Injury

Serious injury requiring medical treatment

Causes

Slip, trip or fall

Anonymous?

Yes

Reported By

Participant

Wearing Helmets?

Rescue Services Involved?

Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Swaledale MRT

Author

11 February 2020 at 16:20:21

For more advice and guidance on good practices visit BMC skills

All reports are self-submitted and have not been edited by the BMC in any way, so please keep an open mind regarding the lessons and causes of each incident or near-miss. 

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